CITY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMMING SHARED SERVICES

On Monday, August 25, 2014, the Highland Park City Council approved a shared services agreement for youth programming with Family Network and the Community House. The agreement transitions the City’s Firehouse Youth Services to Family Network for operations beginning January 5, 2015. The agreement also relocates youth programming from its current location at 1830 Green Bay Road to the Community House, at 1991 Sheridan Road.

“The City continuously seeks opportunities to collaborate with neighboring agencies to enhance our services as well as to find cost efficiencies through shared services,” Mayor Nancy Rotering stated. “The Firehouse Youth Services program has served many in the Highland Park community, and we are confident that this transition will not only promote the program’s mission, but will also open doors to new opportunities through its programming with Family Network.”

Family Network has been offering high quality community-based programs to children and families in the Highland Park area since 1983. They currently offer an educational and enrichment program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade, creating a natural introduction for these students to be part of the middle school youth services program. The Community House offers a spacious area for homework, games and activities; it is centrally located to two schools, and has a nearby playground creating an environment to best serve youth members.

“Family Network is excited to be partnering with the City of Highland Park to provide after school programming to middle school students,” stated Jordan Friedman, Center Director of Family Network. “For 10 years we have offered an after school program to District 112 students many of whom have gone on to attend the Firehouse. We look forward to continuing our high quality services while maintaining all the features that have made the Firehouse such a special place for generations of Highland Parkers.”

The Firehouse youth programming will begin relocation to the Community House the week of November 24 with an expected opening date of December 1, 2014 at the Community House. Family Network will assume operation of youth services on January 5, 2015 with the City providing transitional support. All youth programming staff will be retained by Family Network to ensure a smooth transition. Don Miner, Manager of Youth and Senior Services, will remain a City employee but will provide transitional support to Family Network for the 2015 calendar year. Clubhouse equipment will also be transitioned to the new location.

An informational sheet of frequently asked questions has been attached for additional information regarding the youth shared services agreement. For more information, please contact Don Miner, Manager of Youth and Senior Services, at dminer@cityhpil.com or (847) 926-1861.